ABSU gets N1.5bn TETFUND projects

Abia State University,

Abia State University, Uturu, has received N1.5 billion to execute the 2011/2012 merged Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) projects, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Chibuzor Ogbuagu, said.

Ogbuagu made the fact known in Uturu on Friday at the University’s 22nd pre-convocation press briefing, adding that N600 million was spent on the construction of a faculty block and other projects.

He said other projects which benefitted from the fund were the Faculty of Agriculture building, Centre for Entrepreneurship and the procurement of equipment for Basic Medical Sciences, furniture items and buses.

Ogbuagu said  that N936 million was being used for the construction of an e-library, Law Faculty block as well as the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences building.

He said other completed TETFUND projects were the faculties of Pharmacy and Basic Medical Sciences as well as the School of Postgraduate Studies building.

The vice-chancellor said that the university also bought a 500KVA generator and constructed nine laboratories.

He said the National Universities Commission (NUC) had given full accreditation to 31 academic programmes of the university, including Accountancy, Architecture, Nursing and other professional courses.

He said that 13 other programmes received interim accreditation by NUC in its February 25, release, following its November, 2012 visitation.

Ogbuagu debunked the speculation that the university owed its staff six months’ salary arrears, and explained that the institution could not pay for the long period the workers were on strike.

He said the university’s wage bill had risen from N160 million to N270 million, while the cost of diesel for electricity increased from N3.2 million to N5.6 million.

Ogbuagu said that the institution depended solely on generator for power. He described funding as one of the major challenges facing the university.

Ogbuagu said that the ecological problem in the area was being tackled by the Federal Government.

He said that 5,456 students, comprising 402 graduates in higher diploma, masters, and post graduate diploma courses and 5,054 others would receive degrees and certificates at the convocation.

The vice-chancellor also said that Gov. Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom, Gov. Peter Obi of Anambra as well as an oil merchant, Mr Uche Ogah, would be honoured at the convocation.